Friday, March 28, 2014

Ever have one of those days where you don’t feel like doing anything but curling up in a ball and crying?
If you’re female I’m assuming you have. I’m assuming because I’d rather think it’s completely normal for a 26 year old woman to cry over freaking nothing every once in a while than to think I’m emotionally unstable or just plain losing my mind.

The only computer we own stopped letting me access my user profile. No warning. No options. Just User Profile Failed or something ominous like that. Annoying but no big deal. We can figure out how to fix it later and I’ll just use Chris’ blue and orange, Florida Gator splashed profile for the night.

Blogger won’t let me sign in using his profile because his security settings are too high. Ok. Adjust the security settings. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, right? Lie. I find the security and privacy settings but NO OPTIONS TO ADJUST THEM. Fantastic. I give up on blogging for the night and slam the laptop shut and heave it through the picture window in the living room letting it crash onto the cold ground below to be picked apart by birds that only feast on uncooperative hardware and the tears of its owners and watch Breaking Bad on Netflix.

I gripe at Chris when he gets home and tell him to just fix it and if he can’t fix it, wave the white flag and create a whole new user profile for me. Whatever. He does. I’m so agitated at this point I don’t even bother logging on. The next morning I log on to my new profile SUCCESSFULLY and start setting up shop and adding my go-to sites to my favorites bar and whatnot. I check blogger and it’s letting me log on and conduct my normal business. Yay. After checking blogger, per my usual every day of my life morning routine, I log onto facebook and click on the Jigsaw World game to play. What can I say. It’s therapeutic.

Instead of loading like it should, a warning pops up in its place saying this is not a trusted site. Ok. No problem. I’ll google how to get around it because of COURSE my Jigsaw World is a trusted site. I google and it tells me to click “allow exception” on the warning itself. Easy enough. Except that there is NO SUCH OPTION. It’s not there. Nowhere to be seen. I can’t fix the problem and I can’t play my jigsaw puzzle like I do every morning before I get ready to go to work. That does it. That's the straw that breaks the overly emotional camel's back. I have a little temper tantrum at the expense of my mouse and when Chris asks what’s wrong I cry.

And I cry while I’m putting my clothes on.
And I cry while fixing my makeup from crying.
And I cry on the way to work.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

one. It was a really good weekend. Target shopping with Kaylen and a weenie roast with the fam Saturday night then church and lunch with David, Tracie and the babies Sunday. I HATE for weekends like this to end.

two. Well it was a nice little spring we had. Seriously, two days of pretty and then back to winter.

three. I ran on the treadmill for the first time Sunday. Two minutes. Not consecutive.

four. I put together a smaller version of this for my desk at work. I love holidays. I think I've mentioned that before.

five. THE WALKING DEAD SPOILERS HERE! YAY for Glenn and Maggie! Truth be told I didn't really like her when we were first introduced to her on the farm. She's grown on me though. I really liked how last night's episode jumped between groups. I'm predicting that Carol and Ty are already at Terminus since they're the only ones we didn't see.

six. Yesterday was the 30th anniversary of the day the Breakfast Club served detention. Cap'n Crunch sandwiches anyone?

seven. Words of advice from Chris: You know if our society lived life like it was a Comedy Central Roast we would be a much happier nation and wouldn't have near as many problems as we have today cause so many people would be able to get that sand outta their vagina and not get so butthurt over something that someone else says or does.

eight. Someone would surely die.

nine. Prepare for cuteness:

ten. The cats are currently in a state of revolt since they haven't been allowed free reign of the bedroom because of the new bedspread. Dixie is as we speak protesting from the other side of the door. But no matter how bad it gets....I will never call 911 because of a cat.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Those poor people on Flight MH 370. Those poor families. With them leaning toward the possibility of hijacking it’s enough to make you hope it just crashed into the ocean. That’s probably better than the alternative of landing in a terrorist country and being subjected to heaven knows what. I can’t even imagine what those families must be going through. What’s worse? Knowing from the get go that your loved one died suddenly when the plane exploded or thinking maybe they’re alive and might get home safe but are currently being held hostage by evil people? But it’s incredible to me that something as big as a Boeing 777 can just…vanish. I guess there's always hope though.

It’s not quite April yet and I’m already dreading being in the heart of tornado season. I realize it’s ridiculous to worry about something like that before it even gets here, but it terrifies me. I look at people in California and think “I couldn’t live there because of earthquakes”. I look at people in Florida and think “I couldn’t live there because of hurricanes”. Then I remember….oh yea. We’re constantly dodging tornado after tornado. The community next to ours has been demolished twice. TWICE! I think (and this is a very pessimistic way to think but) it’s just a matter of when and not if it happens to us.

Sunday has become my favorite day of the week. Don’t get me wrong, I love my Saturdays but I really look forward to Sundays so I can go to church. I was just sitting here thinking “how many days until I can go to church again?” I get excited about going and don’t want to miss anything because no matter who is preaching there’s something to learn from every sermon. The pastors never scream at you but their words are still convicting. I don’t think God’s word has to be yelled to have an impact. It’s powerful enough on it’s own. Everyone there is so nice and you can tell they’re just as happy to be there as you are. I LOVE the music and it’s one of the greatest blessings to be able to worship with my family. It’s really easy to see why this church has grown by leaps and bounds.

I’m itching to go somewhere. It’s only been four months since we went to Gatlinburg but I would go this weekend if offered. I wouldn’t care if we stayed in a dump. In just the past couple of days we planned to meet Mom, Dad and the whole crew in Gulf Shores for the long 4th of July weekend. It’s a little ways away but I’m still so excited. I’d take the mountains over the beach any day of the week but just to take a little trip and eat good food for a couple of days! Then of course there’s the trip to end all trips to….DISNEY. Sigh. I have to say it with reverence. One does not simply talk about a trip to Disney World without fangirling a little.

This is what's been on my mind lately. Just a random splattering of thoughts all over the board.
Thanks for taking that little trip with me. Have a fantastic Thursday.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Hello and Happy Wednesday! Today I'm linking up with the fabulous Nicole for this week's installment of Finish This. If you want to join in, grab the button and, you guessed, finish the sentences.

When I need help with life’s mysteries, I turn toPam. At my last job we shared an office and she talked me off many a ledge and kept me calm. She’s (a few years) older than me and can gives me good advice as a friend. It’s nothing for me to text her and say “so this happened to me today…what do you make of that?”.

My next challenge is figuring outHow to drop a few pounds while still eating whatever I want. This might be a tough one. In all seriousness, I’m trying. Nothing drastic. I’m doing the treadmill thing and keeping the junk food to a minimal. That’s hard for me because I have SUCH a sweet tooth! But it’s all about progress, right? Baby steps, people.

I shake things upBy spontaneously cutting my hair and coloring it pink apparently. Seriously. That’s a big deal for me. Or by buying new things for the house. It’s amazing what a new COORDINATING bedspread will do for you. I’m not much of a shaker.

High heels are
A pain in the padded butt. I used to wear heels all the time. In high school I would wear pumps and trod all over the (mostly outdoor) campus. Clearly I was more coordinated then because I can’t do that now. When I wear heels now I look like a 10 year old with her first pair of kitten heels. Not cute. Not cute. Just give me my ballet flats.

PS. We finally watched Dancing with the Stars last night and I am SO rooting for Candace Cameron Bure! When I remembered she's devout christian I wondered how she would navigate the whole costume situation. She was covered and STILL looked amazing and her dance was my favorite of the night. I loved it. But I guess if I had a body like Peta, Karina or Emma I might walk around naked too...

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

One. THE WALKING DEAD SPOILERS HERE! Holy mother of pearl. FINALLY an episode that left my jaw dropped. I knew Lizzy was a little psychopath and had to go. I knew it when she almost smothered the baby. I just HATE that she killed her sweet little sister first. Oh my stars what a gut wrenching scene when Carol shot her. Chris was saying “she won’t do it, she won’t do it”. I was about to open my mouth to say “It’s CAROL. Of COURSE she will!” And bam. I told Chris from now on when he makes me angry I’m going to tell him to look at the flowers. Also I’m glad they finally answered some questions from the prison AND I’m glad Carol confessed to Ty and he forgave her. What a great episode. Best episode of this half season by far.

Two. I got a new haircut but I’m a terrible blogger and haven’t taken any selfies of it. This was my inspiration. Oh and there’s a few pink strands in it. I’ve NEVER colored my hair before. EVER. And the first color I use is pink. It washes out in 2-10 washes but I like it so much I might make it more….dare I say…permanent.

Five. I tried a new sheppards pie recipe Saturday night. Cheesy Creole Sheppards Pie to be exact. I was stingy with the creole seasoning because I don’t like spice but I definitely could’ve used more and it be fine.

Six. YES! Hahaha.

Seven. I used my new treadmill that was so generously given to me (shout out to Pam!) for the first time over the weekend. I might be hooked. It feels good to walk! I kept it at a brisk but not fast pace, only a slight incline and Chris made me use the fan, you know, so I don’t pass or anything. So far so good!

Eight. DWTS: I haven't watched it yet! But I already know I'm going to be cheering for DJ Tanner
.
Nine. I'm really excited to see the new Need for Speed movie. Only because Aaron Paul is in it. That's typically not my kind of movie at all and I wouldn't bother to see it if it weren't for Jesse Aaron. Le sigh...

Friday, March 14, 2014

Hello, all. Dixie here. FINALLY. Please don’t ask me why Gus got to write a post SIX WHOLE MONTHS AGO and I’m just now being acknowledged. Actually, scratch that. Yes, go ahead and ask me. It’s because my brother is Mom’s favorite. Yes, she loves us both equally blah blah blah but he is definitely her favorite child. Maybe because he’s lazy and likes to eat all the time so they have more in common. That’s fine. Gus can have Mom. That just means I get to claim Dad. He and I are more alike anyway. More sociable. More adventurous. Prettier…

There are plenty advantages to being a Daddy’s girl.
Unlimited belly rubs.
Wet food when Mom isn’t home. She has us on a dry food diet. Thanks, Gus…
Attention on the regular.

Don’t get me wrong. Mom shows me attention too and I do love her. But as any southern girl will tell you, there’s just something special about Daddy. Nothing comes between him and his “pretty girl”. I’ll say this for Mom though: I LOVE that she’s been opening the windows for me since it got pretty outside. I say for me because Gus can’t launch his fat self into the window sill without assistance. One of my favorite things to do on weekends is sit in the sunlight and intimidate the squirrels. They are so lucky I’m an indoor cat.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

I’m a big fat wuss bit of a scaredy cat. Always have been.
Like I told you in Ten on Tuesday, Sunday night the power went out. Not just flickered a little and came back on either. Complete darkness for an hour and a half. I was home alone sitting on the bed with the cats watching Pride & Prejudice when my worst nightmare started (this is only a slight exaggeration). Naturally the flashlight in the nightstand was dead and all I had for light was my cell. I called my mom in a panic and she talked to me while Dad walked to my house. (Their power less than a quarter mile away was out too.)
I don’t know what it is about being alone in the dark that is so dang SCARY. Before I got Mom on the phone I was paralyzed by the window in the bedroom too afraid to move. But as soon as I had Mom talking to me I could walk around enough to undo the alarm, put on my boots that were sitting by the door and walk outside. It was actually less scary outside in the darkness with the moonlight than it was in the house. By the time Dad walked into the yard Chris was pulling up with dinner asking “um…what’s going on?” We hopped back in Chris’s car and went to Nana and Don Don’s house and took advantage of their old kerosene lamps and ate our Milo’s by candlelight. How romantic.

They just happened to have our wedding photo on the coffee table.

Darkness might be my worst fear but it definitely isn't the only one.
I'm afraid of:
Storms (very much so).
Tight spaces.
Zombie Apocalypse.
Having kids.
NOT having kids.
Large bodies of water.
Opening a can of biscuits.
Being chased.
Open flames.Insidious.
Driving over bridges.
David Bowie.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Hello and Happy Tuesday! If you've never linked up for Ten on Tuesday before, list ten things that are your mind, serious or silly. That's it! Make your list, grab a button, and link back up here!

one. Sunday while I was home alone the worst thing in the world that could happen happened.... The power went out. Cue panic attack.

two. The new season's Dancing With the Stars cast was announced last week. Kind of a ho hum cast if you ask me. (You didn't ask, but I'm going to tell you anyway.) I think I'm going to be rooting for DJ Tanner!

three. For dinner one night last week in my Chef Alyssa challenge I made this awesome grilled cheese. I LOVED it. Chris not so much. The filling was so good I ate the leftover with saltines. Yum.

four. Well when you look at it like that...

five. THE WALKING DEAD SPOILERS HERE! Three freaking episodes left and there's SO much left to tell. Terminus? The doctor that knows how it started trying to get to DC?? They better step it up these three weeks because I have to tell you, so far I've been really disappointed with this half season.

six. I can't believe I left this out of my Oscars fashion recap post. Pink's ruby performance dress deserved to be in my GOOD category and every other best dressed list made that night. Stunning.

seven. I went to Target Saturday for some makeup removers. Walked out with said makeup removers, a bottle of coral Essie nail polish, Catching Fire and Pride and Prejudice for $5 at the checkout counter. Target wins again.

eight. I'm kind of digging this daylight savings time thing in the evening. Last night after I left work at 6, I got home and opened the windows to let the sunshine in. It feels really weird since it's been pitch black for so long when I leave work. What I'm NOT digging about daylight savings time? That it's almost 7 a.m. and I still see no light outside.

nine. My mother bought Gus and Dixie that toy you see advertised on TV. After 30 minutes of staring at it Dixie finally decided to play. I don't think she quite understood the concept.

Notice who's NOT playing with the new toy. Gus. Not interested at all.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

It breaks my heart a little to say it. ...But I was disappointed with the fashion choices at the Oscars. Yes, they were pretty. Yes, they were (mostly) stylish. But there was only one or two real wow moments. Real red carpet moments. Real we're going to remember this forever moments. Le sigh.

The Good:

Kate Hudson - This, to me, was one of the those wow moments I was telling you about. She's been killing it this awards season and this was perfection. // Sandra Bullock - This is not my favorite thing she's ever worn but in a sea of ho hum dresses this was flattering, glamorous, and movie star worthy. Love the deep blue color. // Cate Blanchett - Nude was clearly a huge trend this year and I thought this was the best. She usually impresses me and I loved the classic hair. // Lupita Ayong'o - Holy cow. Nailed it. Perfect. Stunning. This should be at the tippy tippy top of every single best dressed list. THIS is one of those dresses we'll always remember. She was the star of the evening.

The Bad:

Chrissy Teigen - So not good for the Oscars. Not good for very many places actually, but definitely not the Oscars. // Margot Robbie - What happened here?? She was GORGEOUS at the Golden Globes! She needs to go back to blonde and pick a dress that's not such a total snooze fest. What she thinking? // Jennifer Garner - Taking the Great Gatsby thing a bit far. She looks amazing but this is just too costumey. // Julia Roberts - A for effort after the Globes debacle. She's a superstar. She can do better than this unflattering number.

The Ugly:

Robin Mathews - Looks like she borrowed this from Kaley Cuoco. Unflattering and ridiculous. // Liza Minnelli - Enough said. Moving on. // Penelope Cruz - This gorgeous woman wraps herself in a this boring pink number with a stupid bow. I don't get it. // Elsa Pataky - We get it. You're really pregnant. This could have had potential. I mean, this was one of the few colors on the red carpet. I just can't get over that bad cut and side boob.

Trend // Nude and White

I've never seen SO MUCH of one of two colors at the same event. I mean, did they plan this??? Granted I love a good nude or white sparkly number but this is ridiculous. And this was only HALF of them! I think other than Ms. Blanchett, Sarah Paulson's was the best. Love the casual sleeves. Look at Calista Clockhart and Maria Menounos in basically the same dress. How embarrassing...

Trend // Simply Chic

After J-Law's red carpet moment last year I was really disappointed with her red dress with....peplum. Seriously? Props to Amy Adams though. She looks KILLER in that dress.

What did yall think about this year's fashion choices? Did I leave someone off the list?
Here's to hoping for a more exciting Academy Awards in 2015!

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

one. So the Oscars were Sunday night. I like Ellen. I really do. But I found myself missing Seth McFarlane’s crazy, envelope pushing humor. Look for a Good, Bad and Ugly post! Spoiler alert: Lupita is a goddess.

two. This has to happen:

three. Saturday I bought a pair of skinny capris (identical to the one's from my spring fever post) and it made me BEYOND happy to start preparing for spring.

five. I really want to see Pompeii. Just from the previews alone you can tell it’s going to be over the top and no Oscar contender but the real event always fascinated me.

six. I don't know why but lately I've been thinking about dogs and the possibility of owning one. The cats would die if they heard me say that.

seven. Sunday night we went bowling with Brandon, Kristen and little Brooke…where I discovered I still suck at bowling.

eight. ALSO Sunday night after we got back from bowling I was determined to watch the Oscars so I didn’t get in the bed until midnight. HIGHLY unusual for me. I didn’t get to sleep until after two and then was woken up by wind and rain around three. All of that together means that yesterday was the longest day of my life. I've pretty much figured out that I'm just a miserable person without seven hours of sleep.

nine. I've also figured out I missed my calling in life of being a full-time Disney princess: